Crystal Palace step up their interest in Demarai Gray with Jamaica international ready to leave Everton due to lack of regular starts
Crystal Palace are stepping up interest in Everton forward Demarai Gray.
The 27-year-old Jamaica international is ready to leave Goodison Park after growing frustrated with his starting opportunities towards the end of last season. He has a number of clubs who have shown interest with opportunities also opening up in the Saudi Arabia Pro League.
Everton are looking to strengthen in attack yet are willing to let Gray go for the right price. He was signed by Rafa Benitez from Bayer Leverkusen for £1.7million but they need to raise funds as they navigate Financial Fair Play restrictions and are looking for around £12m.
They have already sold striker Ellis Simms to Coventry City for a deal worth up to £8m and teenage left-back Ishe Samuels-Smith to Chelsea for £4m while Southampton have asked about Mason Holgate.
Gray made 36 appearances overall last season and scored six goals, including crucial equalisers in draws against Manchester City and Nottingham Forest.
So far, Ashley Young has arrived on a free while they have held talks with Villarreal’s Arnaut Danjuma who is also on Palace’s list.
Palace are awaiting free agent Wilfried Zaha’s decision over his next club while Michael Olise is poised to miss the start of the season with a hamstring injury. They have a restricted budget but have also enquired about Flamengo’s Matheus Franca.
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At the weekend, the Brazilian media shared the details of Crystal Palace’s latest offer for Flamengo youngster Matheus França.
It was claimed by O Dia that the Eagles tried to sign the midfielder for €15m, plus €5m in bonuses, and had their bid turned down by the Rio de Janeiro club.
With the rumour making a big noise in Brazil, Flamengo director Bruno Spindel confirmed the bid. He’s quoted by Globo Esporte, and claims they actually haven’t answered Crystal Palace yet.
“We just renewed the contract. He’s one of our academy’s jewels. We count on him playing. Any proposal that Flamengo receives, we evaluate and respond.
“We did not respond to Crystal Palace’s proposal. We will evaluate and respond in the time and way we deem appropriate. He’s already part of the professional squad, he has a long contract and we have him in our squad. But we will evaluate and judge.”
The amount of Crystal Palace’s bid is not mentioned by Globo Esporte’s story. All that is said is that Flamengo demand €25m for the sale, and the Eagles are not alone in the race, since Chelsea are also interested in the player.
The outlet also claims that in case the youngster moves to Selhurst Park, he’d arrive to play. In case he’s purchased by the Blues, then he’d be loaned out to Strasbourg. So that may have some impact on his decision.
It’s also claimed that Flamengo expect both clubs to reach the amount demanded for the transfer.
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